4.
In his latest letter, Mr Bowen Wells draws particular
attention to the implications of these prosecutions for the
development of democracy in Hong Kong, and argues that the
laws concerned make it difficult to conduct a proper
election campaign and need to be reviewed. The Hong Kong Government are currently reviewing all existing legislation to ensure that it is compatible with the Bill of Rights and
the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). But it is unlikely that
the Summary Offences Ordinance will be repealed since the
ICCPR permits restrictions necessary for the protection of
the rights of others and public order. The Hong Kong
Government have made clear that they regard the control of
the use of loudspeakers in public as important in Hong Kong's highly urbanised environment. Permits to collect money in public have long been issued by the Director of Social Welfare to ensure that only bona fide organisations
are allowed to solicit funds from the public.
5. There is no question of seeking to suppress compaigning
for any particular point of view as Mr Bowen Wells suggests.
Hong Kong people have the freedom under the law to participate in protest demonstrations but no groups are
above the law and all must abide by its provisions
CC5ABY/2
Rosalind
Mand
R M Marsden